A Study On The Impact Of Smoking On The Economic Status Of The Middle-Aged And Elderly In China

Objective: This study analyzed the impact of smoking on the personal income and catastrophic health expenditure of middle-aged and elderly people in China,comprehensively evaluates the impact of smoking on the economic situation of middle-aged and elderly individuals and families,and to get an accurate understanding of the economic losses resulting from smoking and provide a reference for creating informed regulations on cigarette smoking.Methods: Two waves of panel data in 2011 and 2013 from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were used.The impact of smoking on the individual economic status of middle-aged and elderly people in China was analyzed,and the Hausman-Taylor model was used to estimate the impact of smoking behavior on personal income.Analyze the impact of smoking on the economic status of middle-aged and elderly people in China.First measure the incidence and intensity of catastrophic health expenditure,and then use the panel logistic model to analyze the impact of different smoking states on catastrophic health expenditure in households.Results: The proportion of middle-aged and elderly smokers in China increased from34.18%(2011)to 34.38%(2013),and the proportion of former smokers increased from 8.72% to 12.46%.According to the results of the Hausman-Taylor model,smoking has a significant negative impact on the personal income of middle-aged and elderly people in China.The personal income of current and former smokers has decreased by 24.50% and 26.50%,respectively.Gender,age,education and per capita GDP can significantly affect the income of middle-aged and elderly people in China.The incidence of catastrophic health expenditures for households in 2011 and 2013 were 12.99% and 15.56%,with average gaps of 3.16% and 4.88%,and relative gaps of 24.36% and 31.40%,respectively.The incidence of catastrophic health expenditure for smoking households was 17.41% and 20.03%,12.10% and 15.09% for current smoking households,and 12.72% and 13.64% for non-smoker households.Panel logistic model results show that former smoking households(OR = 1.512,P <0.05) and current smoking households(OR=1.161,P<0.05)are more likely to have catastrophic health expenditures than households that do not smoke.Chronic illness members,severe illness members,seniors aged 65 and over,and disabled people are the risk factors for catastrophic health expenditures in households,while urban households,larger families,and higher household economic levels are catastrophic health expenditures Protective factors happening.Conclusion: The negative impact of smoking on the economic status of middle-aged and elderly people in China cannot be ignored,and tobacco control measures should be actively implemented to reduce the economic loss of tobacco to individuals and families.First,the middle-aged and the elderly should be regarded as the key intervention targets for tobacco control.Second,increase the tobacco tax rate to reduce financial risk for low-income people.Third,increase the promotion of tobacco hazards and encourage smokers to quit smoking as soon as possible.Fourth,give full play to the protective effect of medical insurance on the vulnerable groups.